Six passengers have tragically lost their lives in a fatal accident along the Umuahia-Bende-Ozu Abam-Ohafia expressway in Abia State.

The incident occurred at Mmuri River when a green-colored Sport Utility Vehicle, a commercial bus with the inscription “Ochendo Mobile,” was struck by a heavy-duty truck.

Eyewitnesses reported that the truck, carrying chippings, lost control and collapsed onto the passenger bus, trapping everyone inside.

The victims, who were en route to Umuahia from Ohafia, succumbed to their injuries before rescue teams could arrive.

The Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency (ARTSMA), led by General Manager Col. Ezichi Kalu (Rtd.), responded quickly to the scene, deploying a crane and towing vans to assist in the rescue operation.

While six individuals were confirmed dead on the spot, one passenger sustained severe injuries, and two others had varying degrees of injuries.

ARTSMA expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The road was promptly cleared and reopened to traffic.

However, the agency urged motorists to drive cautiously and adhere to safety guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In the wake of the tragedy, Ohafia indigenes voiced their frustrations over the neglect of the expressway, blaming delayed road repairs for the worsening condition of the road.

They appealed for government intervention, urging both state and federal authorities to complete the project and investigate the management of funds allocated for its construction.

There was a moment of drama at the Federal High Court in Abuja as Adun Adewale, also known as “Coachbanter,” sought to change his guilty plea after initially admitting to two cybercrime charges.

The case, involving the alleged spreading of false information against Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was brought before Justice Emeka Nwite.

Adewale was accused of using his Tiktok account, “@brodabanter_backup_page,” to post videos making false claims about the I-G’s involvement in criminal activities.

In the first count, Adewale allegedly spread a video falsely accusing Egbetokun of colluding with a cartel to move cash from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In the second, he accused Egbetokun of victimizing police officers to protect the cartel.

During the arraignment, Adewale initially pleaded guilty to both charges.

However, when the second charge was read aloud, he requested to change his plea, explaining that he had shared the video after seeing it elsewhere, not fully understanding the consequences of his actions.

His defense lawyer, O.A. Olaleye, requested a stand-down to confer with his client, which was granted by the court.

Upon reconvening, Olaleye informed the court that Adewale had admitted he did not fully comprehend the charges at the time of his plea.

The lawyer subsequently requested that the charges be read again so Adewale could provide an informed response.

The prosecution, represented by Victor Okoye, strongly opposed the plea change, stating that Adewale had affirmed his understanding of the charges and had legal representation during the proceedings.

Justice Nwite adjourned the case until December 30 for further legal discussions on the matter.

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a stern warning to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, threatening a “deadliest shutdown” of hospitals within 14 days if their demands are not met.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Dr. George Ebong, President of ARD-FCTA, acknowledged the minister’s efforts in infrastructural development but expressed deep concern over the worsening conditions of healthcare workers in the FCT.

He emphasized that doctors are facing severe economic hardship, which he said could lead to their extinction if not addressed.

“While we appreciate the minister’s strides in infrastructure, doctors are being neglected,” said Ebong.

“As he addresses infrastructural projects, we remain the forgotten human project. We believe the minister is capable of tackling this issue.”

Ebong outlined the doctors’ primary demands, including the immediate clearance of six months’ salary arrears owed to members employed in 2023.

He warned that failure to resolve these issues could lead to a collapse of the nation’s health sector.

“This injustice is unprecedented in the FCT. If it continues, it will have dire consequences for the country’s healthcare system,” he added, urging Wike to take swift action to prevent further loss of life.

The doctors initially gave a 21-day ultimatum during their Annual General Meeting, which now leaves only 14 days for resolution.

“We do not want to cause the deadliest shutdown, but if no action is taken, we will be left with no choice,” Ebong concluded, stressing that the nation’s health is at risk and immediate intervention is needed.

The Delta State Police Command has arrested one Mr Efe Onoetiyi for killing his best friend, Paulinus Okon, after collecting over N50 million from the deceased.

The Commissioner of Police Delta State Command, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, disclosed this on Monday while parading the man, alongside four other killers.

He said, “I welcome you to this briefing which is particularly painful. It involves the murder of one Paulinus Okon by his bosom friend, one Efe Onoetiyi. Paulinus was reported missing on September 8, 2024, by his brother after he went out with his friend Efe Onoitiyi, 30. The suspect, Efe Onoitiyi, who initially denied knowing what happened to Paulinus came to Paulinus’s house to ask his family about him.

“He was confronted that the deceased went out with him on that same date which he denied that the deceased did not go out with him. On a later date, Efe came back and demanded N500,000 from the deceased’s brother that he would use the money to pay a herbalist who could tell them Paulinus’s whereabouts.

Efe again came and informed the family that Paulinus was kidnapped and he collected a ransom of about N20,715,000 from the deceased brother claiming that he was in touch with the kidnappers.”

“When it became obvious that Efe had something to hide, he was arrested and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, State Headquarters Asaba.

On November 28 2024, I directed the DPO Ekpan to take over the case and ensure that a discrete investigation was carried out to fish out those responsible, as the main suspect, Efe, was not yielding.

“The DPO Ekpan carried out an intelligence-led investigation that indicted one Okeimute Gaga 48, Okeimute gaga upon his arrest opened up and confessed that he could no longer hide what happened.

Okeimute Gaga narrated how Efe brought Paulinus to the Orere River in Otokutu and requested that they kill him.

The suspect further stated that on September 8, 2024, Efe and Sunday Ikpeba, and a 30- old herbalist Lawrence Joseph tied Paulinus Okon to a stake at night close to Orere River and beheaded him alive.

“His body was thrown into the River while the herbalist took the head of Paulinus and buried him at his shrine in Otokutu. The DPO, Ekpan Police station, led police operatives to the shrine in Otokutu where the skull of Paulinus was exhumed and recovered.”

Olufemi stated that during interrogation, Efe confessed that he killed Paulinus because he did not know how to tell him he had diverted his money meant to buy the house.

He added, “Efe stated that he saw a building for sale at N30 million, which he advertised to the deceased and the deceased paid N30 million in three instalments, but instead of buying the house, he diverted the money for his personal use, bought two lands and was building a duplex for himself.

“He further stated that he did not know how to explain to the deceased that he had used his money hence he decided that killing Mr Paulinus would save him the trouble. Efe and the three other suspects are in custody.”

The CP, however, urged members of the public to be vigilant especially this season about the friends they keep, lamenting that parents are no longer taking the upbringing of their children, especially boy children seriously.

In an interview with the suspects, they all confessed to the crime, saying that the head was sacrificed to the gods of the community.